Reversible, controllable white-light emission of dye systems by dynamic covalent furan moiety exchange

New exo-Diels-Alder adduct dyes were synthesized. Pure exo and endo dye isomers were isolated and prepared. Two high-quality, blue-light emitting crystals were obtained. X-ray single crystal diffraction reveals the precise structure of the exo isomer, and longer Diels-Alder bonds (1.59 Å) than common C-C bonds (1.54 Å). The adduct dye displays high intramolecular energy transfer efficiency from the pyrene donor to the dansyl acceptor, where blue-violet donor emission is prohibited. By dynamic furan moiety exchange, the donor fluorescence restores, which combines with complementary green-yellow acceptor fluorescence to give white-light emission of the dye systems. White and green-light emitting dye systems could be reversibly, controllably, and mutually transformed.